Cook Concocts a Winning Recipe for East All-Stars

Wayne Cook and James Jones proved to be the winning combination for the East team in a 12-7 victory over the West in the Ventura County All-Star football game last Saturday night at Hueneme High. Cook, bottom right, completed 11 of 18 passes for 214 yards and two touchdowns, including one of 60 yards to Jones, top left, who cradled the ball as he backed into the end zone while a group of defenders vainly attempted to swat the ball.

Cook, who will attend UCLA on a football scholarship, was named most valuable player in the game. A 6-foot-4, 185-pound quarterback from Newbury Park, Cook hit eight of 12 passes for 165 yards in the first half when the East took a 12-0 lead. After a lively scramble, Cook hit Royal’s Pat Ledesma with a 24-yard scoring strike in the first quarter. The completion to Jones, also of Royal, came in the second quarter on third-and-22.

Meanwhile, the West had trouble getting its offense going and did not earn a first down until late in the first half. Finally, Hueneme’s Freddie Bradley, bottom left, broke loose for the West, shaking Newbury Park defender Kelly Carmack. Carmack had a crucial tackle late in the game, however, forcing a fumble with less than one minute to play after the West had driven inside the East 20-yard line. The jarring hit helped the West hold on for the five-point victory.

The lone West score came on a fake punt in the closing seconds of the third period. Blocker Carlos Cardenas of Hueneme took the snap and raced 46 yards for a touchdown. Buena’s Ty Hewitt kicked the PAT.